Tape dispenser

ABSTRACT

A tape dispenser including a housing having a pair of wheels arranged to engage opposed sides of a tape for pulling tape from a roll. One of the wheels is supported on a rocker arm which also supports a cutter blade for the tape. Rotation of the rocker arm in one direction brings the wheels together to drive the tape and to lift the knife, and rotation of the rocker arm in the other direction separates the wheels and causes the knife to sever the tape. One of the wheels is power driven, and the rocker arm operates a switch to energize the power means when the wheels are in driving engagement with the tape and to stop the power means when the wheels are out of engagement. A fountain brush is disposed at an outlet end for wetting a glue surface of the tape. The brush is contained in a tank having a laterally extending spout through which liquid is fed from an inverted contained feeding it to the spout. The roll is guided laterally by a pair of side plates adjustable in lateral directions to accommodate rolls of different width. An electric light bulb is provided adjacent to the tank for warming the tank and liquid therein.

United States Patent Todd et al. Apr. 8, 1975 [54] TAPE DISPENSER [76] Inventors: Robert R. Todd, 1780 s.w. 39111 Ave; Richard Zenner. 755 SW. Attorney. Agent. or F1rn1Eugene M. Eckelman 89th Ave, both of Portland. Oreg. 97225; Ray E. Troendly; Dean E. [57] ABSTRACT g gz i k lp l g g a l A tape dispenser including a housing having a pair of g wheels arranged to engage opposed sides of a tape for [22] Filed: Aug. 27,1973 pulling tape from a roll. One of the wheels is supported on a rocker arm which also sup orts a cutter [211 App] 391538 blade for the tape. Rotation of the rockgr arm in one Related U.S. Application Data direction brings the wheels together to drive the tape [63] continumiummpan f Set 235576 March and to lift the knife, and rotation of the rocker arm in 973 uband0n the other direction separates the wheels and causes the knife to sever the tape. One of the wheels is power [52] U.S. Cl. 118/40 n. and t rocker arm operates a switch t r- [51] Int. Cl B2311 25/12 g the power means when the wheels are in driving [58) Field of Search .1 1 l8/DIG. 17. 4. 5, 39, engagement with the p and to p the power 118/40, 255 264 265 268 means when the wheels are out of engagement. A fountain brush is disposed at an outlet end for wetting [56] References Ci d a glue surface of the tape. The brush is contained in a tank having a laterally extending spout lhl'OUgh which liquid is fed from an inverted contained feeding it to #35332; $131.3 2135;121:111;:::1::;;:::;;::::1..l.i135; the The is guided/WW by a pair of Side 10/1952 Huvemzmn a M 118/255 X plates ad ustable 1n lateral directlons to accommodate 2.8511104 9 1951; Rowe .r 118/40 rolls of different Width elcctric lighl bulb is p 3.037.477 6/1962 Kruegcr et al. 118/40 vidfld adjacent to the tank for warming the tank and 3.101.282 8/l963 Glassco et al lift/40 liquid therein. 3.l57.550 ll/i964 Krueger et al 118/40 X 3,563.2Ul 2/1971 Smith ll8/4O 11 Claims 9 Drawmg F'gures PATENTEDAPR 8 I975 SHEET 1 [IF 3 TAPE DISPENSER This application is a continuation in part of application Ser. No. 235,576, filed Mar. 17,1972, for tape dispenser now abandoned.

This invention relates to new and useful improvements in tape dispensers.

A primary objective of the present invention is to provide a tape dispenser which is simplified in construction and which is inexpensive to manufacture and easy to maintain and clean.

Other objects of the present invention are to provide a tape dispenser which employs novel drive means for the tape comprising first and second wheels in edge alignment arranged such that one of the wheels is movable toward the other wheel to grip tape therebetween so that upon rotation of one of the wheels the tape is stripped from a roll; to provide such an arrangement of drive wheels wherein the movable wheel is supported on a rocker arm and such rocker arm carries a cutting blade arranged to cut the tape when the movable wheel is moved away from the other wheel; to provide novel wetting means for the tape comprising a fountain brush seated in a fluid supply tank and having upper bristle portions thereof in the path of the tape to wet the tape; to include guide means for the tape through the ma chine a portion of which has weighted engagement with the tape over the brush to insure good wetting of the tape; to provide a laterally extending spout on the tank for supporting a fluid supply container in inverted relation which maintains the fluid level in the tank; to provide an electric light bulb adjacent to the tank for warming the tank and fluid therein; and to provide lat erally adjustable side plates for the roll of tape arranged to accommodate rolls of different width.

The invention will be better understood and additional objects and advantages will become apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawings which illustrate a preferred form of the device.

In the drawings.

FIG. I is a side elevational view. partly broken away, ofa tape dispenser embodying principles of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is an enlarged top plan view, also partly bro ken away; of the tape dispenser;

FIG. 3 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 33 of FIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 44 of FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken on the line 5-5 of FIG. 3.

FIG. 6 is a fragmentary sectional taken on a line ap proximating that of FIG. 3 but showing a slightly modified structure and being taken from the side opposite from that of FIG. 3 wherein the intake for the tape is on the right instead of on the left;

FIG. 7 is a fragmentary top plan view of FIG. 6;

FIG. 8 is a fragmentary elevational view of a switch for operating the drive wheel of the FIG. 6 structure; and

FIG. 9 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on a line approximating that of FIG. 4 but showing a modified means of supporting a water bottle.

Referring in particular to the drawings, the present tape dispenser comprises a housing or main frame as sembly 10 having a pair of side walls 12 which extend the full length of the dispenser and which have an inclined top edge portion 14, FIGS. 1 and 3, at the rearward end. Connected integrally with side walls are two transverse walls 16 and 18, FIG. 3, intermediate the ends of the dispenser. The rearward wall 16 has a forward curvature 20 at the upper end thereof which leads into a top wall or bottom guide plate 22 terminating at its forward end in a transverse edge 24. Top wall 22 is inclined downwardly a slight amount toward the front. As best seen in FIG. I, the dispenser has foot members 26 secured to the side walls. Forward wall 18 has an offset portion 27 therein intermediate its ends.

The rearward end of the device has a pair of rollers 30 and 32, FIGS. I and 2, supported rotatably on transverse shafts 34 mounted in the side walls 12 of the housing. These rollers are arranged to support a roll of tape 36 freely thereon from which the end thereof leads onto the upper surface of wall 22. The roll of tape is supported solely on the rollers 30 and 32 for free stripping of tape therefrom. A pair of side plates or guides 38 are provided to hold the roll of tape laterally in place. These side plates have a forwardly projecting top tongue 40, also seen in FIG. 3, engageable in apertures 42 for front support. For rear support, the side plates have vertical bottom notches 43, FIG. 1, adjacent to their rearward end engageable with notched portions 44 in a transverse rod 46 secured between the side walls 12 ofthe housing at the rear of the latter. The rod 46 has a plurality of the notches 44 and the wall 16 has a plurality of correspondingly spaced and aligned apertures 42 so that the side plates 38 can be selectively spaced to accommodate rolls of tape of different widths.

A shaft 50, FIGS. 2 and 3, extends transversely ofthe housing between the walls 12 and has journaled support 52 in one of the walls 12 and is connected to a motor 54 mounted on the outside of the other wall 12, the connection of this shaft to the output shaft of the motor being accomplished by a coupling 56. Secured on the shaft 50 for rotation therewith is a driven wheel 58 having a serrated peripheral edge 60. An edge por tion of this wheel projects into a longitudinally extending aperture 62 in the wall 22. Associated with the wheel 58 is an upper aperture 62 in the wall 22. Associated with the wheel 58 is an upper pressure wheel or roll 64 rotatably mounted on a longitudinally extending rocker arm 66 pivotally mounted on a transverse rocker arm shaft 68 attached to the side walls 12. Rocker arm 66 has bifurcated arms 70 supporting a shaft 72 therebetween on which wheel 64 is rotatably supported. Wheel 64 has a peripheral groove 74, FIG. 5, in which is supported a resulient O-ring 76. This 0- ring, in a selected position of the rocker arm 66, is arranged to engage the tape and press it against the pe ripheral surface of wheel 58 to strip the tape 36 from its roll when wheel 58 is driven, as will be more appar ent hereinafter.

The rocker arm 66 has a handle 78 secured thereto which leads upwardly from a point between the ends of the rocker arm. A tongue or projection 80 is provided on the forward end of rocker arm 66, FIGS. 2, 3 and 4, and a cutting blade 82 for the tape has an aperture 84 for freely receiving the tongue 80 to provide a hanging support for the blade on the rocker arm. This blade has vertical guided movement by means to be described hereinafter and has oppositely angled cutting edges 86, FIG. 4, leading downwardly from a central point. The double angle of the cutting edges accomplishes the necessary cutting of the tape with a minimum of travel. These cutting edges lead to depending cars 88 at the sides and cooperate with edge 24 of wall 22 for cutting the tape.

The mounted support of rocker arm 66 on the shaft 68 is intermediate the ends of the rocker arm and the parts are arranged such that upon rearward movement of the handle 78, the wheel 64 moves down to press the tape into engagement with the wheel 58 as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 3. In such movement of the rocker arm, the cutting blade 82 raises. In a forward rotated position of handle 78, as shown in full lines in FIG. 3, the wheel 64 is raised off the tape and the blade 82 is moved down to cut the tape.

Rocker arm 66 has an integral sleeve extension 89 to one side, FIG. 2, from which extends a lever arm 90. Pivotally connected at its upper end to lever arm 90 is a link 91, also seen in FIG. 3, arranged to operate a switch 92 through a switch arm 93 on the switch, the arrangement being such that when the handle is rotated rearwardly to lower the pressure wheel 64, the motor 54 is put in operation to drive the wheel 58. When the handle 78 is moved forwardly, drive motor 54 is deenergized. The rocker arm 66 is urged in a clockwise direction by a torsion spring 94 supported on shaft 68 and having opposite ends 96 and 98 engaged, respectively, with a transversely extending rod 100 mounted between the side walls 12 and with a pin 102 on the rocker arm. By means of such spring, the rocker arm 66 is urged to the non-drive position of the wheels 58 and 64.

An upper guide plate 106 lies on the wall 22 and has a longitudinal slot 108 therein allowing the pressure wheel 64 to move to a position wherein tape is gripped between the two wheels. Guide plate 106 has bottom projections 110 which may be formed by top pressed recesses in the plate. These projections are provided at the sides between the runway for the tape and serve the purpose of holding the plate off the wall 22 to provide a free space for the tape thereunder. To provide such free running of the tape, the projections 110 have a height slightly greater than the thickness of the tape. Plate 106 lies loosely in place on the wall 22 and is held in its position by gravity due to the inclined disposition of wall 22. In ward or forward limiting movement of plate 106, however, is provided by an upwardly extending flange 112 thereon having abutment with the rear side of laterally extending rod 100. Plate 106 is readily removed by pulling it rearwardly out of the housing, assuming of course that the roll of tape 36 has been moved out of the way.

Rocker arm 66 has limited movement in both of its direction of rotation. To limit counterclockwise rotation, it has a depending screw 114, FIGS. 2 and 3, at its rearward end adapted to abut plate 106. This screw is also seen in phantom lines in FIG. depicting a down position thereof. To limit clockwise rotation of the rocker arm, a resilient stop 116 is secured on a shaft 118 mounted between the side walls 12 of the housing adjacent to the other end ofthe rocker arm 66 from the screw 114. The stops are selectively arranged to allow proper operation of the mechanism but to prevent overturning of the rocker arm.

Extending transversely between the side walls 12 forward of cutting edge 24 is a horizontal guide wall 120, FIGS. 2-4, which is in the same plane as wall 22 to also form a bottom support for tape moving through the housing. Wall 120 is secured at the sides on longitudinal rails 122 by screws 123. Rails 122 are suitably secured to respective side walls 12. The forward end 124 of wall 120 terminates short of the front of the housing and the rearward end 125 of such wall terminates forward of wall edge 24 to allow the blade 82 to work therebetween. End 125 is turned down slightly to provide a curved portion which prevents the cut end of the tape from hanging up. Rails 122 have slots 126 therein, FIGS. 3 and 4, through which the ears 88 and side portions of the blade 82 move.

Lying freely on wall 120 is a guide plate 127 which, similar to plate 106, has bottom projections 128 disposed at the sides thereof and arranged to hold it off the wall 120 to allow tape to pass therebetween. The inward end of plate 127 has an upwardly directed flange 130 which is engaged behind a rod 132 extending transversely between side walls 12 for holding the plate 127. Flange 130 rests against the cutter blade 82 and, together with edge 24, holds the blade 82 in upright position to maintain it in hanging engagement on tongue 80 of lever 66. The outer end of plate 127 carries a weight 134 for a purpose to be described. To remove the blade 82, it is merely necessary to first remove plate 127 by lifting the front an amount such that flange 130 moves under rod 132. With the removal of plate 127, blade 82 can be tipped forward at the top an amount to clear tongue 80 for lifting it out.

Secured to the side walls 12 below the rails 122 are rails 136, FIGS. 3 and 4. Supported on the rails 136 and confined between these rails and rails 122 is a tank 140. Seated in the tank are two fountain brushes 144 having their upper bristle portions extending through an aperture 146 in the top of the tank and being ofa length to project above wall 120. These brushes seat in the tank and are positioned against longitudinal shifting by a spacer member 147. The plate 127 rests on the top of the brush 144 except that tape to be dispensed extends between the brush and the plate 127, the weight 134 being used to insure good engagement of the tape with the brush.

A door 148 is provided at the front of the housing which extends up from the bottom of the housing to a point below the exit point of the tape. This door is slidably engaged behind inturned flange portions 150 on the side walls 12 and has an outwardly angled tap 151 for grasping. The tank 140 can be inserted and removed through door 148 and engages upper portion of wall 18 for rearward positioning.

Tank 140 has a laterally extending spout 152, FIGS. 1, 2 and 4, which projects through a slot 154 in one of the side walls 12, such slot opening from the front edge of the side wall to allow the tank to be removed through the front of the housing upon opening door 148. This spout 152 has an upturned portion 156 arranged to receive a nozzle 158 from an inverted container 160 supported in such inverted position by an arm 162 having a cradle portion 164 which receives the container. Arm 162 is removably engaged in a bracket 166 secured to a side wall 12 of the housing. The spout 152 and the nozzle 158 of the container 160 are arranged such that the water level 168 shown in FIG. 4 is maintained at the desired level by automatic feeding of fluid from the container 160.

A socket 170 for an electric light bulb 172 is attached to wall 18 with the bulb being disposed under the tank 140. The heat from the bulb warms the liquid in the tank for efficient usage. Door 148 has a peep hole 174 in order that an operator can determine the operation of the bulb.

A top cover 176 is employed to conceal upper mechanism portions of the dispenser. This cover is of inverted U-shape, having a top wall 178 and side walls 180, FIGS. 3 and 4, which extend down along the outside of walls 12. A downturned flange 182 is provided at the front of the cover, and this flange engages in top slots 184 in the side walls 12 of the housing. Also, the rear edges of the side walls 180 have inwardly extending slots 186, FIG. 1, which engage end portions of rod 100 which project beyond the side walls 12. The top wall 178 of the cover has a slot 188 through which the handle 78 projects. The cover is removed by dislodging the front flange 182 from the slots I84, moving it forwardly a short distance to clear the rod 100 from slots 186 and then lifting it over the the handle.

The bottom of the tape dispenser has horizontal wall portion 190 and 192 forward of wall 18 and rearward of wall 16, respectively, and an inspection plate 194 is removably attached to the bottom in the area between wall portions 190 and 192.

In the operation of the present dispenser, the tank 140 is charged with the desired liquid. This is accomplished by mounting a container 160 for the liquid in inverted relation in the cradle 164 with its spout engaged in the spout portion 156. With the device plugged into an electric circuit, the electric lamp causes the tank 140 to be warmed to maintain the liquid therein at a desired temperature for efficient usage. A roll of tape is installed by merely seating it on the rollers 30 and 32 and threading the end portion along the upper surface of wall 22 under the guide plate 106. It is only required that the tape be threaded into the area of the wheels 58 and 64. Thereupon, upon moving the handle 78 rearwardly, the drive motor for wheel 58 is actuated by the closing of switch 92 and the pressure wheel 64 pushes the tape down into engagement with the wheel 58 to drive said tape through the machine. The tape is wetted by the brush and when the desired length has been moved through the machine, the handle 78 is released. Upon releasing the handle, the spring 94 rotates the rocker arm such that the pressure wheel 64 moves off the tape and the blade 82 cuts the tape. Any overrunning movement of wheel 58 is ineffective on the tape since the driving engagement with the tape ceases as soon as the wheel 64 moves away from the tape.

The particular structure of the tape holder, tape drive means, and wetting means provides a simplified con struction and also one which is easy to maintain and clean. As an example, it is to be noted that the top of the machine is open, except for the cover 176 for easy access to the mechanism above wall 22. The area of the wheel 58 and switch 92 is available for easy access by removing inspection plate 194. The tank 140 is easily accessible by removal ofthe front door. In addition, the use of a light bulb comprises a simplified manner of warming the liquid in the tank. The tape roll is easy to install and to initially thread the end into drive position between the wheels. The guide plate 106 is readily removable merely by pulling it rearwardly. The guide plate 127 is removable by lifting it at the front to clear the flange 130 from the rod 132. With the removal of plate 127 cutter blade 82 can be tipped forward to clear the tongue and then it can merely be lifted out. The blade is thus easily removed for cleaning, sharpening or replacement. Different width rolls are accommodated by selectively locating the side plates 38 in suitable apertures 42 and notches 44.

FIGS. 6-9 show slight modifications of the invention, the principal modification being in the construction of the rocker arm. The main frame assembly is substantially the same as in FIG. 1, including a bottom guide plate 22' and a top removable guide plate 106'. The tape is fed in from the right side of FIGS. 6 and 7 between the plates 22' and 106' and is dispensed by means of a drive wheel 58' and a pressure wheel 64, the plates 22' and 106' having apertures 62' and 108' respectively which allow abutting drive cooperation of the wheels 58' and 64'. The rocker arm 66' carries a cutting blade, not shown, on the end opposite from the pressure wheel 64 the same as illustrated in the FIG. I embodiment. The roll of tape is supported on suitable mechanism such as that shown in FIG. 1 or on other suitable support means.

The rocker arm 66 of FIGS. 6 and 7 is formed of two parts, comprising a main rocker arm portion 196 and a rocker arm channel 198. The channel 198 opens upwardly and an end of the rocker arm portion 196 fits freely in overlapping relation in a forward portion of such channel. The two parts 196 and 198 are both pivotally mounted on the rocker arm shaft 68 in their overlapping portion, and this whole assembly is urged to the up position, or counterclockwise movement as viewed in FIG. 6, of the pressure roll 64' by a torsion spring 94' on the shaft 68' having its ends 96' and 98 engaged on the top of a rear cross rod 100 and a projecting pin 102' integral with the main rocker arm por tion 196. The spring 94' is maintained in place on the shaft by peripheral grooves 200 in the rod 100' and pin 102', a washer 202 and a snap ring 204 being disposed between the spring 94' and the channel 98. Rod 100' holds the top guide plate 106' in place by a projection 206 extending upwardly in the top guide plate.

The outer end of rocker arm channel 198 is urged downwardly on the shaft 68 or clockwise as viewed in FIG. 6, by means ofa torsion spring 208 having its ends 210 and 212 engaged respectively with a projecting portion of the pressure roll shaft 72' and a portion of pin 102' projecting laterally from the main rocker arm portion on the side opposite from spring 94', these spring ends being engaged in grooves 214 in the members 72' and 102' for anchored placement. The limit of rotation of channel 198 under the action of spring 208 is accomplished by abutment of the one end of the channel bottom up against the main rocker arm portion. A washer 216 and snap ring 218 are also provided on the shaft 68 on the outer side of the spring.

The structure of the rocker arm assembly is such that a resilience of engagement of the pressure wheel 64' on the drive wheel 58 is present. That is, after the pressure roll 64' has engaged the drive wheel 58' such as shown in phantom lines in FIG. 6, the main rocker arm portion 196 can continue its pivoted movement, such continued pivoted movement being against the action of the spring 208. Upon release ofthe main rocket arm portion, the spring 208 will return the rocker arm channel 198 to its rest position and the spring 94' of course will return the rocker arm assembly to its rest position, namely, to the position shown in FIG. 6. Main rocker arm portion 196 has an operating handle 78' for manual manipulation thereof on shaft 68'.

A stop link 220 is employed to limit rotation of the main rocker arm portion 196 after the pressure wheel 64' has engaged the drive wheel 58'. As in the FIG. 1 embodiment, a stop bar 118' is supported laterally in the main frame against which the rocker arm rests under the action of spring 94'. The stop link 220 has an aperture 222 adjacent its lower end for receiving this stop bar and it has an upright slot 224 in its upper portion which receives the spring anchor pin 102'. A loose fit is provided between the stop bar 118' and the aperture 222, and the arrangement of the stop link 220 in such that the anchor pin 102' will engage the upper end of the slot 224 to stop pivotal movement of the rocker arm 196 shortly after the pressure roll 64' has engaged the drive wheel 58. In other words, when the main rocker arm portion 196 is pivoted to establish a drive connection between the roll 60 and wheel 58', the stop link 220 will stop the extra rotation of the main rocker arm portion shortly after the wheel 64' has engaged the wheel 58 in order that the operator will not pivot the rocker arm portion 196 too far and strain the parts, the link however allowing the slight relative rotation of the two rocker arm parts to allow sufficient but not excessive drive pressure.

A switch link 91' is pivotally connected at its upper end on the anchor pin 102', and with reference to FIG. 8, such link is connected at its lower end to an arm 93' ofa switch 92 which is secured to the frame and which controls operation ofthe motor for rotating drive wheel 58', this link operating the same as the FIG. 1 embodiment, namely, it causes the switch 92' to turn on the motor when the rocker arm starts its movement toward drive position of the pressure roll 64'. The structure of FIG. 8, however, works in reverse from that shown in FIG. 3 in that the switch arm 93' is moved upward to close the switch instead of down.

With reference to FIG. 9, a modified form of holding means for a water bottle 160 is provided. In this modi fied structure, the water tank 140' has a spout 152' which has a rotatable sealed connection in the side of the tank by means of a keeper 228 and an O-ring 230 and which has an upturned portion 232 provided with a passageway 234 for receiving the neck portion of the water bottle. Passageway 234 communicates with the interior of the spout, and the arrangement is such that when it is desired to insert a full bottle on the portion 232, the spout is rotated so that said portion 232 is turned down to the phantom line position of FIG. 9 and the neck of the bottle inserted up into the passageway. Then the spout and bottle can be rotated to turn the bottle upside down to its use position without spilling.

It is to be understood that the forms of our invention herein shown and described are to be taken as pre' ferred examples of the same and that various changes in the shape, size and arrangement of parts may be re sorted to without departing from the spirit of our invention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

Having thus described our invention, we claim:

1. A tape dispenser comprising a housing, support means in said housing for a supply of tape having a glue surface, wall means in said housing arranged to support tape fiatwise for longitudinal movement, a first wheel projecting through said wall means and having a pcripheral portion thereof in the path of said tape on said wall means, rocker arm means in said housing, a second wheel mounted on said rocker arm means and disposed on the opposite side of said wall means from said first wheel in edge to edge alignment therewith, drive means for rotating one of said first and second wheels, said second wheel being movable toward and away from said first wheel by rotation of said rocker arm means wherein when disposed adjacent to said first wheel with the tape engaged therebetween the tape is stripped from its supply upon driving rotation of said one wheel, a fountain brush engageable with a glued side of said tape, and a cutter blade on said rocker arm means disposed transversely of the tape and arranged to be movable with the rocker arm means for cutting the tape when the rocker arm means is rotated in a direction which moves the second wheel away from said first wheel.

2. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein said rocker arm means includes a main rocker arm, a rocker arm extension supporting said second wheel and pivotally movable relative to said main rocker arm, and spring means urging said rocker arm extension toward said first wheel whereby said extension can back off against said spring means when said second wheel is moved into driving relation with said first wheel.

3. The tape dispenser of claim 2 including stop means engageable with said rocker arm means arranged to stop movement of the latter upon selected backing off movement of said extension after said second wheel is moved into driving relation with said first wheel.

4. The tape dispenser of claim 1 including an electric circuit, an electric drive motor in said circuit for rotating said one wheel, a switch in said circuit, and means operated by said rocker arm means to operate the switch in a manner such that the motor is energized when the rocker arm means moves the one wheel into drive engagement with the other wheel and deenergized when the rocker arm means moves the one wheel away from the other.

5. The tape dispenser of claim 4 wherein the friction surface of said other wheel comprises a resilient O-ring attached to its surface.

6. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein one of said wheels has a serrated peripheral edge and the other of said wheels has a friction peripheral surface.

7. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein said cutter blade has an aperture freely receiving an end portion of said rocker arm means for hanging support hereon, removable guide means on said wall means holding said. cutter blade upright in mounted position on said rocker arm means, said blade upon removal of said guide.

means being arranged to be tipped away from said rocker arm means to disengage said end portion from said aperture to remove the blade.

8. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein said fountain brush includes a container for liquid for wetting said brush, said brush having a tip end projecting above said wall means in the path of said tape for wetting the glue surface of the tape, an weighted plate means overlying the brush and lying on the tape for holding the tape in engagement with the brush.

9. The tape dispenser of claim 8 wherein said container has a laterally extending filling spout with an up wardly directed opening, and an inverted container having a nozzle and arranged to be engaged in said opening and to maintain a fluid level in said tank, said spout being adjustably rotatable whereby said container can be installed on said spout without spilling by container and liquid therein 11. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein said sup port means for said tape comprises a pair of transverse rollers arranged to have surface supporting contact for a roll of tape, and a laterally adjustable guide plate on each side of a roll of tape on said rollers arranged to guide tape rolls of different width. 

1. A tape dispenser comprising a housing, support means in said housing for a supply of tape having a glue surface, wall means in said housing arranged to support tape flatwise for longitudinal movement, a first wheel projecting through said wall means and having a peripheral portion thereof in the path of said tape on said wall means, rocker arm means in said housing, a second wheel mounted on said rocker arm means and disposed on the opposite side of said wall means from said first wheel in edge to edge alignment therewith, drive means for rotating one of said first and second wheels, said second wheel being movable toward and away from said first wheel by rotation of said rocker arm means wherein when disposed adjacent to said first wheel with the tape engaged therebetween the tape is stripped from its supply upon driving rotation of said one wheel, a fountain brush engageable with a glued side of said tape, and a cutter blade on said rocker arm means disposed transversely of the tape and arranged to be movable with the rocker arm means for cutting the tape when the rocker arm means is rotated in a direction which moves the second wheel away from said first wheel.
 2. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein said rocker arm means includes a main rocker arm, a rocker arm extension supporting said second wheel and pivotally movable relative to said main rocker arm, and spring means urging said rocker arm extension toward said first wheel whereby said extension can back off against said spring means when said second wheel is moved into driving relation with said first wheel.
 3. The tape dispenser of claim 2 including stop means engageable with said rocker arm means arranged to stop movement of the latter upon selected backing off movement of said extension after said second wheel is moved into driving relation with said first wheel.
 4. The tape dispenser of claim 1 including an electric circuit, an electric drive motor in said circuit for rotating said one wheel, a switch in said circuit, and means operated by said rocker arm means to operate the switch in a manner such that the motor is energized when the rocker arm means moves the one wheel into drive engagement with the other wheel and de-energized when the rocker arm means moves the one wheel away from the other.
 5. The tape dispenser of claim 4 wherein the friction surface of said other wheel comprises a resilient O-ring attached to its surface.
 6. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein one of said wheels has a serrated peripheral edge and the other of said wheels has a friction peripheral surface.
 7. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein said cutter blade has an aperture freely receiving an end portion of said rocker arm means for hanging support hereon, removable guide means on said wall means holding said cutter blade upright in mounted position on said rocker arm means, said blade upon removal of said guide means being arranged to be tipped away from said rocker arm means to disengage said end portion from said aperture to remove the blade.
 8. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein said fountain brush includes a container for liquid for wetting said brush, said brush having a tip end projecting above said wall means in the path of said tape for wetting the glue surface of the tape, an weighted plate means overlying the brush and lying on the tape for holding the tape in engagement with the brush.
 9. The tape dispenser of claim 8 wherein said container has a laterally extending filling spout with an upwardly directed opening, and an inverted container having a nozzle and arranged to be engaged in said opening and to maintain a fluid level in said tank, said spout being adjustably rotatable whereby said container can be installed on said spout without spilling by rotating the spout to a downward position and then with the bottle installed rotating the spout and the bottle to the inverted position of the latter.
 10. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein said fountain brush includes a container for liquid for wetting said brush, said brush having a tip end projecting above said wall means in the path of said tape for wetting the glue surface of the tape, and an electric light in said housing adjacent to said container for warming the container and liquid therein.
 11. The tape dispenser of claim 1 wherein said support means for said tape comprises a pair of transverse rollers arranged to have surface supporting contact for a roll of tape, and a laterally adjustable guide plate on each side of a roll of tape on said rollers arranged to guide tape rolls of different width. 